What is a MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential health effects of exposure
to chemicals, or other potentially dangerous substances, and on safe working procedures when handling chemical
products. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program. It contains
hazard evaluations on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures related to that material. The MSDS
contains much more information about the material than the label and it is prepared by the supplier. It is intended
to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are
not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents
occur.

What information is on the MSDS?

In compliance with the American ANSI Z400.1-1998 standard (official title "Standard for Hazardous Industrial
Chemicals - Material Safety Data Sheets - Preparation"), European Directive 91/155/EEC on "defining and laying
down the detailed arrangements for the system of specific information relating to dangerous preparations in
implementation of Article 10 of Directive 88/379/EEC", and following amendments, and International Standard ISO
11014-1 ("Safety data sheet for chemical products -- Part 1: Content and order of sections"), each MSDS must
contain sixteen sections:

First-Aid Mesures: description of recommended first-aid mesures in case an incident occurs, for example,
in case of ingestion or inhalation of the substance, or in case of contact of the chemical product with eyes or skin

Accidental Release Mesures: mesures to be taken in case of the accidental release of the chemical
substance or mixture into the environment: soil, rivers, waterways, sources of potable and non potable water, see, etc.

Information on Recommanded Handling and Storage Conditions: recommended procedures for the handling,
storage and usage of the chemical substance or mixture

Exposure Controls / Personal Protection: this section often contains the exposure limits per country
(classified by form of exposure or overexposure), as well as the personal protection equipment (PPE) recommended
or required by law (respiratory protection, skin protection, eye protection, face mask, etc.)

Regulatory Information: classification of the substance according to TSCA, SARA, CERCLA,..., S- and
R-Phrases

Other Information: this section often presents a list of abbreviations used in the MSDS, references to
EU Directives en European or international (ISO) standards, version management of the MSDS, a disclaimer,...

Why translate your MSDS?

Employers must make sure that all controlled products have an up-to-date (less than three years old) MSDS when they
enter the workplace. The MSDS must be readily available to the workers who are exposed to the controlled product,
and to the health and safety committee or representative. If an MSDS in English is not completely understood by
non-native speakers, the MSDS in question requires to be translated in the native tongue of the personnel handling
the hazardous materials. The employer has a duty to make an understandable MSDS for all hazardous products. Also,
according to the "downstream flow" principle, any importer, supplier, or reseller of a product containing
substances requiring the provision of an MSDS, is under a legal obligation to provide the relevant safety sheets
in the language of the importing country, so often an MSDS translation will be needed. In case of accidents, contamination or spillages, an MSDS can be a life insurance for workers handling hazardous substances.